UT football: Ash ‘always expected’ starting job

AUSTIN — For months, the most rampant assumption related to Texas’ quarterback competition was that David Ash would win it.

Ash, as it turned out, was no different than everyone else.

Speaking publicly Monday for the first time since being announced as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback, Ash said his confidence never wavered after playing every offensive snap of last December’s Holiday Bowl victory over California.

“I’ve always expected I would be the guy,” Ash said.

With the Longhorns having released their depth chart last Wednesday, there was little of the usual opening-week drama when they met the media at Bellmont Hall on Monday.

Instead, Ash was just able to calmly talk about the pressure associated with being the clear No. 1 quarterback after sharing the job with Case McCoy for the bulk of last year.

So how much of how good UT can be this season is Ash’s responsibility?

“Some of it is,” Ash said. “I’m the quarterback, I manage the offense. But because our team is so much better, a lot of the pressure isn’t on me. All I have to do is get the ball to the right people’s hands.”